President David O. McKay said this about mediation:
In our worship there are two elements: One is the spiritual
communion arising from our own meditation; the other,
instruction from others. . . . Of the two, the more
profitable . . . is the meditation. Meditation is one of
the most secret, most sacred doors through which we
pass into the presence of the Lord.
Thus, meditation is an important activity if we are really wanting to draw close to the Lord. But how do you meditate?
Philip McLemore, a retired LDS Air Force Chaplin, wrote a fantastic article in Sunstone entitled “Mormon Mantras: A Journey of Spiritual Transformation.” What brother McLemore does is show members how they can incorporate “Mormon Mantras” in their meditation to help them in the process. Individuals who practice Eastern religions as well as those who practice Catholocisim often repeat a mantra while they are meditating. The repetition helps people focus their thoughts, so that their meditation is effective.
Brother McLemore offers ideas for different LDS Mantras taken from the scriptures.
- “Be still and know that I Am God” (Psalm 46:10).
- “Love as Christ loved” (John 13:34).
- “Afflictions are consecrated for my growth [or
enlightenment]”(2 Nephi 2:2).
- “Forgiveness, with love and tolerance, accomplishes
miracles” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Forgiveness,”
Ensign, November 2005).
- I am in your midst (D&C 29:5)
Some members will probably say this vain repetition. I argue it’s not. As long as you sincerely mean what you say as you meditate, the repetition is not vain- it’s just repetition. Read the article to day and start your spiritual expansion with meditation.